2014 Mazda CX-5 Problems
Compared with other Mazda CX-5 years
More complaints than typical for this model
78/100 1.9× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.9× that of a typical Mazda CX-5 year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 132 of its 377 complaints were filed by the end of 2016.
- Most reported problem: Vehicle will not fully shut off after pressing start/stop (186 complaints, median 60,000 mi).
- 3 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2013, 2017
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 377filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 42,200miles, 280 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 28 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 32 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2014 Mazda CX-5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Most complaints for this model year describe electrical problems that appear after the vehicle is shifted into park: the engine shuts off but the radio, lights and instrument panel stay powered, and the battery can run down. A second large group of owners report windshield cracks that begin without any obvious impact, and a smaller but consistent set report rough or delayed shifting, sunroof glass breaking, and front-end steering or suspension components separating. Reports span low-mileage vehicles still under warranty through vehicles well past 100,000 miles.
- Electrical system
Vehicle will not fully shut off after pressing start/stop
- 186 complaints (49%)
- median 60,000 mi at 4.6 yrs old (136 state mileage)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2013–2025
Owners describe pressing the start/stop button with the shifter in park and finding that the engine stops but the radio, lights, dash display and door locks stay active. Many say they have to shift out of park and back, sometimes repeatedly, before the vehicle recognizes park and shuts down; a few describe the engine shutting off but power staying on in accessory mode. Complaints mention drained batteries as a result, and several say a dealer diagnosed the park-position switch or shifter assembly and quoted a replacement. Reported from under 30,000 miles to nearly 200,000 miles, with many clustered between 40,000 and 90,000 miles.
What to check: With the engine warm, park the car and press the start/stop button a few times, watching whether the radio and dash lights go out and the doors lock. Ask whether the park-position switch or shifter assembly has been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“When I turn off the engine, the electronics (lights, radio) in the car stay on and the doors won't lock if I wanted to leave the vehicle. I have to start the engine and turn it off multiple times (sometimes 20+ times) to completely shut everything off. Mazda recognizes this is a very common problem, but won't do a recall on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11354049, filed 2020-09, 50,000 miles“2014 Mazda CX-5. I tour the car in park and turn it off. The car does not turn off. I turn the engine back on, put in reverse, put it back in park and try again. I turn off bluetooth, all audio, and make sure all the doors are closed. Sometimes it takes up to 8 or 9 tries before the 'accessories' in the car shut down. This has been happening for weeks now. Now my bluetooth is not connecting.”
NHTSA complaint #11317812, filed 2020-03, 104,000 miles - Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
Windshield cracks without an impact
- 70 complaints (19%)
- median 10,212 mi at 0.8 yrs old (65 state mileage)
- filed 2013–2024
Owners report cracks appearing in the windshield with no stone strike or other obvious cause, often found after the car sat overnight or while driving, and starting from the top center, the base, or near the mirror and spreading 12 to 18 inches. Some describe a small chip that grew far more than expected. A few say a dealer or manufacturer declined warranty coverage, and some note the glass was backordered when replacement was needed. Mostly reported under 40,000 miles, many within the first year of ownership and some within days of purchase.
What to check: Inspect the windshield in low-angle light for cracks or chips starting at the top center, base and mirror area, and ask whether the glass has been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“After one year of owning my Mazda CX-5 2014 my windshield cracked. The crack started from the center top to mid section of windshield. I have never had this problem before with other vehicles. There must be a manufacturing error with these windshields. Mazda should refund everyone who has had to replace them.”
NHTSA complaint #10664802, filed 2014-12, 20,000 miles“While sitting in my cx5 eating my lunch I noticed that there was a vertical crack in the windshield. I got out of the car to inspect for an impact point but could find none. I was bewildered because the crack just seemed to appear out of nowhere and for no cause. The crack is about 18 inches long and is almost dead center of the windshield left-to-right and starts from the very bottom of the windshield and runs upward and then curves at about 90 degrees. …”
NHTSA complaint #10574296, filed 2014-03, 28,000 miles - Transmission and drivetrain
Delayed or erratic shifting and loss of acceleration
- 43 complaints (11%)
- median 33,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (39 state mileage)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2013–2024
Owners report the vehicle hesitating or refusing to accelerate normally, with several warning lights coming on at once and the transmission holding gears or not engaging when the accelerator is pressed. Some describe the engine revving without the car moving, and one says a dealer linked the symptom to a service bulletin and ordered transmission parts. Another reports the engine revving higher than expected while braking. Reported from a few thousand miles up to around 145,000 miles, appearing both at low speed and on the highway.
What to check: Test drive from a stop through several gear changes and at highway speed, watching for hesitation, delayed engagement or warning lights, and ask about transmission fluid service and any prior shift-related repairs.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I purchased this vehicle in april 2015 as a new vehicle left over from 2014. Repeatedly, when decelerating, the engine continues to rev higher despite pressing the brake and keeping my foot off the gas pedal. This happens all the time and I've been told by both the dealership and Mazda that this is how the vehicle is designed. I fear the vehicle will not slow down when needed as it feels as if the engine is pushing to increase speed when I'm trying to slow down. …”
NHTSA complaint #10780833, filed 2015-10, 9,800 miles“My wife complained about how she tried to accelerate and it didn't work one random time while she was driving. I took it around the neighborhood to test it out. I wasn't even out of my block before the incident happened. I was in the middle of a turn and everything just stopped. I was going less than 10 MPH when it happened. Several lights came on on the dashboard. The traction control light, the at light, the TPMS light, and the check engine light. Something bad happened and this could have killed someone had it happened on the highway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11176668, filed 2019-02, 68,000 miles - Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
Sunroof glass shattering while driving
Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints
Owners describe a loud bang like a gunshot while driving at highway speed, followed by the sunroof glass breaking and glass falling into the cabin. Several state there was no nearby vehicle, no debris and no unusual weather, and one notes the glass appeared to fail outward with the vent raised. In some reports the closed shade kept glass off the occupants. Reported at highway speeds, across a wide mileage range, sometimes in cool or mild weather.
What to check: Open and close the sunroof and look closely at the glass edges and panel for chips, and ask whether the panel has ever been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The sunroof glass shattered suddenly while I was driving on the highway. I was going 70-75 MPH at the time. There were no other cars around and the weather was perfect so I do not think anything hit the sunroof. I had both the sunroof and interior cover closed completely at the time. The sound when it shattered was very loud and thankfully I was not in traffic. Since the cover was closed, it prevented the broken glass from raining down on my children.”
NHTSA complaint #11222209, filed 2019-06, 78,000 miles“Our sunroof exploded while we were driving 55mph on a windy road. Sounded like a rifle shot. No cliffs above us. No dramatic temp or pressure changed. Seemed like a spontaneous event.”
NHTSA complaint #11098284, filed 2018-05, 1 miles
Buying note. Check that the vehicle shuts down completely and locks when parked, and have the windshield and front suspension inspected, since these are the symptoms owners report most often. Ask for service records showing whether shift-related or front-end repairs have already been done.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 377 consumer complaints for the 2014 Mazda CX-5. 280 of the complaints include a mileage, and 56% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 42,200 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 789 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 10 Mazda CX-5 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 78 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system132 35%
- Other or unknown58 15%
- Engine39 10%
- Body and structure32 8.5%
- Brakes23 6.1%
- Electronic stability control12 3.2%
- Vehicle speed control9 2.4%
- Air bags8 2.1%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (8), Fuel system (7), Steering (7), Seats (5), Suspension (5), Latches, locks and linkages (3), Wheels (2), Seat belts (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “When I push the button to turn off the car the engine shuts off but the radio and everything inside the car doesn't turn off. My car's battery has died because of it not turning off. I called the dealership they knew exactly what was wrong. They said it was a common problem in the cx5. My car's battery has been dead several times because of this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11110303, filed 2018-07, 100,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The driver side rearview mirror vibrates violently and blurs visibility at speeds higher than 50 MPH. A TSB has been issued for this issue, but Mazda refuses to repair it for certified preowned vehicles even though this is a manufacturing defect and is very distracting during driving on the highway. I have to look at the mirror for a longer time to make sure the road is clear, which is a higher risk to my safety.”
NHTSA complaint #11090891, filed 2018-04, 63,000 milesOther or unknown: “A few weeks ago my keyless system began malfunctioning. When I push the car off button and go to get out of car a warning beep gets my attention that the dash is still on. The only way I have found to get everything to shut off completely is to restart the car and put it in reverse or drive and I may have to do this several times before everything shuts down.”
NHTSA complaint #11102880, filed 2018-06, 80,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “My car has 58,283 miles and I need a new differential. I have never even had a differntial replaced on any of my prior cars. I have had cars with over 200,000 miles. This is a costly fix and I feel it should not happen to a car at this mileage. I bought the car used at about 23,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11194864, filed 2019-04, 58,283 milesMileage when problems were reported
56% of the 280 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 14,001 and 67,275 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2014 Mazda CX-5. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-5 · SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 16.9% risk |
| CX-5 · SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 17.4% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2013: 4 stars overall; 2015: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2014 Mazda CX-5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-5 2WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,300 |
| CX-5 2WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| CX-5 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 25 | 31 | 27 | $2,500 |
| CX-5 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 25 | 30 | 27 | $2,500 |
| CX-5 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 24 | 29 | 26 | $2,600 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 16V644000Sep 6, 2016Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgateCovers: Mazda CX-5 2013–2016, MAZDA3 2010–2013, MAZDA5 2012–2015 +2 more
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles…
- 16V203000Apr 11, 2016SteeringCovers: Mazda CX-5 2014–2016, CX-9 2013–2015, MAZDA2 2013–2014 +1 more
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January…
- 16V064000Feb 3, 2016Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and capCovers: Mazda CX-5 2014–2016
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles manufactured June 27, 2013, to February 2, 2016. The affected vehicles have a fuel filler pipe that may rupture in the event of a crash. As such, these…
Recall details for the 2014 Mazda CX-5 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 789 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037899Sep 11, 2026Electrical system. DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if…
- 11034447Jun 19, 2026Electrical system, Engine. This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine…
- 11032003May 1, 2026Transmission and drivetrain. This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and…
- 11032104Apr 30, 2026Body and structure, Other or unknown. DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label. To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left…
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026Engine, Brakes, Other or unknown, Transmission and…. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended…
- 11032019Apr 11, 2026Fuel system. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-003/22 03/02/22 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about a tapping or knocking…
- 11032100Apr 4, 2026Body and structure, Electrical system. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs and bulletin(s) listed below: The changes are noted below in red. SA-010/23 02/09/23 DESCRIPTION Some customers may experience one or more…
- 11028133Jan 26, 2026Other or unknown. There are currently 2 methods for cutting a new auxiliary key blank. A. Auxiliary Key Trace Cut Method • B. Auxiliary Key Code Cut Method 2019 and newer models require a 10-digit key code to…
- 11028127Jan 5, 2026Other or unknown. Some customers may report an odor or water in the HVAC system and upon inspection, the cabin air filter may be found to be wet.
- 11026917Dec 17, 2025Electrical system. If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any…
Other model years of the Mazda CX-5
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 17 | 615 | 0 | — | 26 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 29 | 3,518 | 0 | 5 | 25 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 46 | 20,828 | 0 | 5 | 25 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 67 | 10,064 | 0 | 5 | 26 | 22 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 65 | 20,482 | 0 | 5 | 26 | 12 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 148 | 26,450 | 0 | 5 | 28 | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2020 | 108 | 3,200 | 0 | 5 | 28 | 30 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2019 | 272 | 17,000 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 57 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 352 | 14,700 | 3 | 4–5 | 28 | 77 · More | Rising |
| 2017 | 150 | 19,000 | 1 | 4 | 27 | 26 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2016 | 511 | 30,939 | 4 | 4 | 29 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 133 | 27,000 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 60 · Typical | Falling |
| 2014 | 377 | 42,200 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 78 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 194 | 39,000 | 1 | 4 | 29 | 34 · Fewer | Falling |
All Mazda CX-5 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Mazda CX-5?
Most complaints for this model year describe electrical problems that appear after the vehicle is shifted into park: the engine shuts off but the radio, lights and instrument panel stay powered, and the battery can run down. The issues reported most often: Vehicle will not fully shut off after pressing start/stop; Windshield cracks without an impact; Delayed or erratic shifting and loss of acceleration.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2014 Mazda CX-5 have?
NHTSA recorded 377 consumer complaints for the 2014 Mazda CX-5 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2014 Mazda CX-5 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 132 complaints (35% of the total), followed by visibility with 80.
Has the 2014 Mazda CX-5 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2014 Mazda CX-5 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2014 Mazda CX-5 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Mazda CX-5 get?
The EPA rates the 2014 Mazda CX-5 (CX-5 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 26 city and 32 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2014 Mazda CX-5 reported?
Among the 280 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 42,200 miles and the middle half falls between 14,001 and 67,275 miles; 56% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.